U.s. Tobacco Promotions Abroad To End

February 16, 1998|The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The State Department plans to send a directive to all U.S. diplomatic posts instructing them not to promote U.S. tobacco products abroad.

The new policy was required by legislation Congress approved last year, which was sponsored by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas. Until now, U.S. diplomats and trade officials have treated cigarettes and other tobacco products no differently from other legally traded goods. That meant these officials worked to break down trade barriers imposed by other nations and encouraged exports of U.S. tobacco.

From now on, according to the directive, tobacco will be treated as a danger to health. The government will continue to oppose trade policies abroad that favor local tobacco products over those made in the United States, but will support efforts in other countries to restrain smoking.

The directive will be sent Tuesday to all U.S. embassies and commercial offices abroad.

``Given that tobacco use will be the leading global cause of premature death and preventable illness early in the 21st century,'' the directive states, ``the U.S. ... will not promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products or seek the reduction or removal by any foreign country of nondiscriminatory restrictions on the marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.''